Tongue cleaning device

ABSTRACT

A hand held tongue cleaning device for applying the correct &#34;downward&#34; pressure on the tongue surface to release entrapped material without damaging the tongue. The device has a flat, curved cleaning element consisting of at least one blunted blade for cleaning the tongue on one end; and, a flat, curved handle on the other to form an elongated `S` profile. The curved blunted blade element is adapted for moving over the surface area of the tongue to dislodge the surface material from the tongue and withdraw the accumulated substance even from the back recesses of the mouth without injury to the tongue or triggering the &#34;gag reflex&#34;.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

This invention relates to tongue-cleaning devices and more particularlyto devices which will enable the user to quickly and easily clean thetongue without causing injury to delicate membranes or triggering the"gag reflex".

2. Description of Related Art

Oral hygiene has become of increasing world wide concern, especiallyamong teenagers and older adults. Many dentifrices, flosses,toothpastes, toothbrushes and other articles for maintaining oralhygiene have been developed and sold in recent years. It is generallyrecognized that in many cases, complete oral hygiene must include theremoval of surface material from the tongue, including the back of thetongue in the rearward recesses of the mouth and throat.

In the past, tongue-cleaning devices generally have been of two kinds:tongue "scrapers"; and tongue brushes. The scraper has usually compriseda curved scraping element mounted on a handle, for example U.S. Pat. No.1,533,123, or a straight scraper resembling a miniature hoe mounted atright angles to the handle, for example U.S. Pat. No. 1,851,396. Thesescrapers, have been objectionable for a number of reasons, chief ofwhich is the very real possibility of injuring the delicate mucousmembranes forming the tongue surface. In order to perform the operationwith any measure of success, relatively sharp edges were required, whichfrequently produced cuts or abrasions of the membranes. If the edgeswere sufficiently dulled to eliminate this danger, the device was notcapable of removing the deposits on the tongue surface, since thesedeposits cling to the tongue surface, and particularly to the manyinterstices within the tongue's roughened surface. Moreover, devices ofthis general character were entirely incapable of removing thesecretions in these minute interstices, and especially at the back ofthe tongue.

One reason for this deficiency was the shape of the prior art devices.Specifically, they did not incorporate a design that allowed propermanipulation of the working surface to get the correct leverage on thedevice and to provide the deft manipulation required at the back of thetongue to prevent gagging.

The second type of tongue-cleaning device, the brush, overcame some ofthe forgoing objections by use of soft bristles, but such soft bristlesdid a poor cleaning job. The nature of deposits on the tongue is such asto be relatively incapable of removal by brushing. If hard bristles areused, the surface of the tongue is penetrated causing the rupture ofblood vessels, and thus, the danger of infection. Moreover, brushes donot carry residue out of the mouth, but allow part or even most of it totravel to the stomach.

Many people do not employ a separate tongue cleaning device at all. Theysimply use a toothbrush to scrub or otherwise scour the tongue surfacein an attempt to remove surface material. This is generally ineffectiveand is particularly ineffective if the person is, for example, a smokeror tends to eat highly seasoned foods. The main problem associated withscrubbing the tongue with a tooth brush is that the tongue is a musclewith a rough surface somewhat similar to the layering of scales on afish. While brushing moves these "scales" around, the fact is thatbrushing alone is relatively ineffective in removing matter that islodged or otherwise retained under the surface of this rough texturedskin.

Because of this layering, one must actually "scrape" or "milk" thetongue surface in order to dislodge and free material trapped on or justbeneath the tongue's surface. Additionally, the majority of the materialwhich must be removed is at the back recesses of the mouth and throat,next to the tissue which triggers the "gag reflex." It is that part ofthe tongue which is most difficult to clean and is virtually impossibleto brush.

Thus it would be advantageous to have a device which is inexpensive,easy to use, gives positive results, and reaches the back recesses ofthe tongue area without triggering the gag reflex. Further, it would beadvantageous to have a light weight, yet durable device that could becarried in a purse or pocket for use other than in the home. Finally, itwould be advantageous to have a device that is functionally designed toallow the user to deftly manipulate the cleaning device to removetrapped material without damaging the tongue membrane from either sideof the users mouth using either hand.

A number of prior art devices attempt to solve the hygiene problem,without success. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 3,477,435 discloses a tonguescraper comprising two curved surfaces joined at right angles. Thisdevice, however, does not incorporate a means for exerting downwardpressure on the device, and incorporates a separately formed handlejoined to the scraper, which adds to manufacturing expense. U.S. Pat.No. 1,891,864 also discloses a tongue scraper comprising a flat edge.

U.S. Pat. No. 1,533,123 discloses a tongue scraper comprising a curved,slightly concave surface with a straight, flat handle. While the curvegenerally conforms to the shape of the tongue, the handle does notafford the manipulative ability required.

U.S. Pat. No. D95,777 discloses a toothbrush having a spoon•shapedmember at one end, presumably for scraping the tongue. It is less thanfully affective for cleaning the tongue surface. U.S. Pat. Nos.2,049,956; 2,708,762 and 4,356,585 also disclose toothbrushes having ascraper at one end. In each case, however, the tongue scraper is lessthan fully effective for cleaning the back recesses of the tongue.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,455,704 discloses yet another combined toothbrush andtongue scraper. However, because of the manner in which the tonguescraper extends from the toothbrush handle, holding the brush forscraping the tongue is awkward. A somewhat similar tongue scraper isdisclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 1,811,775. Another combined toothbrush andtongue cleaner, wherein the tongue cleaner comprises a curved member atthe end of the handle, is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 1,860,924. Thecurved portion is not, however, wide enough to conform to the shape ofthe tongue and is therefore less than fully effective.

U.S. Pat. No. D 118,318 discloses a tongue scraper in the form of aloop, as does U.S. Pat. No. 4,488,327. These tongue scrapers will notconform well to the upper surface of the tongue. U.S. Pat. Nos.3,683,924, 3,697,366 and 3,811,447 disclose generally U-shaped flexiblescrapers. While these scrapers, because of their flexibility, can beformed to the shape of the surface of the tongue, they require two handsto use, and do not afford the manipulation required for cleaning theback of the tongue. Still other scrapers, each of which suffers from oneor more of the aforementioned drawbacks, are disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos.1,658,706; 1,741,143; 2,405,029; 2,583,750 and 3,890,964. Various of thetongue cleaners referenced above are uncomfortable to grasp or cannot beeasily manipulated; some require a number of parts and are relativelyexpensive to manufacture.

In addition there are numerous scrapers and tools for removing surfacematter from objects other than the human tongue. For example, U.S. Pat.No. 3,178,747 teaches a culinary scraper that, in operation, is used inan inverted manner. U.S. Pat. No. 1,746,877 shows a concave scrapingcleaner for treating the skin. U.S. Pat. No. 717,456 shows a flatscraper with a hook on the end.

It would therefore be advantageous to provide an improved tongue cleanerwhich is effective for cleaning the surface of the tongue and is formedfrom a minimum number of parts for reducing manufacturing costs, whichembodies a grip or handle which can be comfortably grasped by both rightand left handed users and allows leverage and manipulation of thecleaner device to facilitate the removal of retained material withoutinjuring the tongue or gagging the user.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

There is provided an inexpensive to manufacture, efficient device forcleaning the tongue from either side of the mouth, which is suitable forgrasping by both right and left handed users. According to theinvention, a device is provided for removing surface matter from thehuman tongue; more particularly, an inexpensive, cleanable, portable,hand held device for applying the correct "downward" pressure on thetongue surface to release entrapped material without damaging the tongueis provided. The present invention envisions a tongue-leaning devicewhich, by virtue of its construction and ease of cleaning, is sanitary,may be readily washed or sterilized, and may be used safely without anydanger of depositing germs on the tongue or causing infection.

It has now been discovered that the disadvantages of the prior art canbe overcome with a device having a curved working surface or cleaningblade on one end and a gripping surface having a curvature, reversedfrom that of the working surface, on the other end to form a cleaningtool having an elongated `S` profile. The major length of the device ispreferably straight with curves in opposite directions at either end.Preferably, the tongue cleaning device of the instant inventioncomprises a curved blade element having at least one blunted cleaningedge, adapted for moving over the surface area of the tongue to dislodgethe surface material from the tongue and withdraw the accumulatedsubstance, even from the portion of the tongue located in the backrecesses of the mouth into the throat, without injury to the tongue ortriggering the "gag reflex".

The device of the present invention contains a curved blade cleaningelement having at least one blunted edge for contacting the tongue; and,a handle member of a curved terminal portion adapted for gripping,wherein the blade element and the terminal portion are curved inopposite directions, one from the other, to form an elongated "s" shapeddevice.

In one embodiment, the tongue cleaner in accordance with the inventioncomprises a curved handle and a curved cleaning element portion securedat one end to the handle. In a preferred embodiment, the cleaningportion is curved in general conformity with a human tongue and has asubstantially semicircular cross section defining a faint concavechannel on the inwardly curving surface of the cleaning element forre-accumulating matter removed from the tongue. In a preferredembodiment the curved grip and cleaning element are integrally formedand the handle has a flattened cross section and a generally arc-shapedcontour forming a curved surface. By turning the cleaning device over,the curved surface of the handle switches, as gripping surfaces for thethumb and other fingers of the users other hand, thus allowing cleaningfrom either side of the mouth. In this configuration the curved cleaningelement carries two substantially identical blunted cleaning edges,disposed on opposite sides of the cleaning element, such that the devicecan be rotated about 180 degrees to apply the opposite blunted edge tothe tongue surface for cleaning from the other side of the mouth.

Further features and advantages of the tongue cleaner in accordance withthe present invention will be more fully apparent from the followingdetailed description and annexed drawings of the presently preferredembodiment thereof, which form part of the specification.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a top view of the device illustrating the functional shape ofa preferred device embodying the principles of the invention;

FIG. 2 is a canted side view illustrating the gripping and cleaningfeatures of the invention;

FIG. 3 is an illustration of the device in use in the human mouth.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Turning to FIG. 1, there is shown the device 10 of the instant inventionhaving a generally "S" shaped configuration with a straightened bodyportion 12, a curved cleaning element 14, having disposed on either edgethereof blunted cleaning surfaces 18a and 18b, and a curved handle orgripping portion 16. As shown, the tongue scraper 10 is integrallyformed, preferably from a strip of molded plastic. On the device 10,which is preferably about 6 inches in length, the curved deviation onthe handle portion 16 and the cleaning element 14 are approximatelyequal so that the device forms an elongated "S". It will be realizedthat the curvature can be deviated to accommodate different anatomies,such as adolescent tongues or the like. As better seen in FIG. 2, in oneembodiment the cleaning element 14 may have more of a curvature than thehandle portion 16 to allow access to the inner reaches and recesses ofthe mouth and throat to reach the back of the tongue without triggeringthe gag reflex. In one embodiment (not shown), primarily for adolescenttongues, the curvature of the cleaning element is substantially morethan the handle portion.

As better seen in FIG. 3, in operation the user grasps the device 10 inhis hand 20 using the pressure of the opposing thumb (not visible) incontact with the flattened portion of the handle(not visible), and wrapsthe fingers 22 of the hand about the forward flattened portion so thatdevice 10 is able to be manipulated by pressure from the thumb andtwisting of the hand to provide a positive pressure on the tonguesurface 24. The cleaning element 14 of the device 10 containing thebeveled blade surface 18a in the "tongue down" position, is placed onthe back recesses of the tongue 24 as shown.

In operation the device 10 is placed squarely on the surface of thetongue 24 and, with downward pressure, urged toward the front of themouth in the direction of arrow 26 to manipulate the material on thesurface of the tongue forward and gently urge the retained material fromthe interstices of the tongue without damaging the tongue surface, but"milking" the interstices with a downward pressure of the constantlymoving beveled blade surface 18a of the cleaning element 14 of thedevice 10.

Thus, when the beveled blade surface 18a (or 18b) of the curved cleaningelement is pressed gently into engagement with the tongue surface andmoved toward the tip of the tongue, the adjacent portion of the tonguesurface moves into engagement with the device to expel foreign materialand then move the dislodged material along the surface of the tongueahead of the cleaning element throughout the length of the tongue. Whenthe pressure is slightly relaxed, the accumulated substance adheres tothe blade or cleaning portion of the device for removal from the mouth.After a few gentle strokes over the tongue surface, placing the cleaningelement under a spray of water will remove the accumulation, and leavethe tongue surface clean.

The device may be molded of any suitable resilient material andpreferably one of "plastic" because of the ease of cleaning thesematerials. The shape of the terminal portion or grip embodies acurvature inverse from the blade with the curvature displacement of bothends being preferably less than the width of the tongue. It is greatlypreferred to have the terminal portion or handle generally curvedthroughout its length, such that the opposing thumb and the fingers gripthe device to allow maximum control of the blade. The curved handleembodiment allows use in either hand. Likewise, the beveled bladeportion of the curved cleaning element is configured so that eitherbeveled blade surface of the cleaning element can be used to clean thetongue, allowing use from either side of the mouth.

In accordance with the embodiment shown in FIG. 2, cleaning element 14is curved and has a generally semicircular cross section defining aconvex channel 30. In operation the channel 30 provides a receptacle formatter removed from the tongue surface. To use the scraper 10, thescraper is grasped by the handle portion 16, preferably with the thumbalong the straightened body portion 12 in the vicinity of the junctionbetween the body portion 12 and the cleaning element 14, and with theother fingers wrapped about the curved surface 16. Because of the designof the scraper 10, it will be apparent that the scraper may be grippedin the foregoing fashion regardless of whether the user is right or lefthanded. With the scraper 10 thus grasped, the blade 18a or 18b,depending on whether the scraper is held in the left or right hand, ofthe cleaning element 14 is applied to the upper surface at the back ofthe tongue with the channel 30 angled downward toward the tongue surfacein the fashion of a road grader blade. As the upper surface of thetongue is curved, holding the scraper 10 in this fashion results in oneof the beveled blades 18a or 18b contacting the upper surface of thetongue substantially along its entire width.

At this point, the scraper is moved forward such that the surface 18a or18b of cleaning element contacts the upper surface of the tongue forremoving odor-causing and other objectionable matter, with any suchmatter accumulating in the channel 30. Due to its semicircular shape,the channel 30 retains the accumulated matter and prevents it fromdripping back onto the tongue as the cleaning progresses. The cleaningdevice 10 may then be rinsed out by hand or in a dishwasher, whereuponit is again ready for use. From the foregoing, it will be apparent thatthe tongue cleaner in accordance with the present invention isinexpensive to manufacture, extremely effective, and suitable forgrasping by both right and left hand users.

While I have herein shown and described a preferred embodiment of thescraper of the present invention, it will be apparent to those ofordinary skill in the art that still further changes and modificationsmay be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of theinvention. Accordingly, the above description should be construed asillustrative and not in a limiting sense, the scope of the inventionbeing defined by the following claims. While one illustrative preferredembodiment of this invention has been shown and described in detailabove, those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that manymodifications are possible in the exemplary embodiments withoutmaterially departing from the novel teachings and advantages of thisinvention. Accordingly, all such modifications are intended to beincluded within the scope of this invention as defined in the followingclaims. Thus, it should be understood that this invention is not to belimited to the exact forms disclosed and many changes in detail andconstruction of the invention may be made without departing from thespirit thereof.

I claim:
 1. A tongue cleaner comprising:a curved cleaning element havingat least one blunted blade-like edge for contacting the tongue and agenerally semicircular cross section to form a channel in said cleaningelement said channel extending from edge to edge of said curved cleaningelement, a handle member of a curved terminal portion adapted forgripping, wherein the cleaning element and the terminal portion arecurved in opposite directions, one from the other, to form an elongated"S" shaped device.
 2. The tongue cleaner according to claim 1, whereinsaid cleaning element has a pair of blunted blade-like edges forcontacting the tongue disposed on either edge of said cleaning element.3. The tongue cleaner according to claim 1, wherein said at least oneblunted blade-like edge runs substantially the length of the edge ofsaid cleaning element.
 4. A tongue cleaner for removing containedmaterial on the surface of a tongue comprising: an integrally formed,substantially rigid member defining a curved handle portion and a curvedcleaning element, said handle portion and cleaning element being ofsubstantially equal width and curved in opposite directions to form anelongated "s" configuration, said cleaning element being curved ingeneral conformity with a human tongue and having at least one bluntedblade portion running substantially the edge of said cleaning elementand having an arc-shaped cross section defining a first concave channel,said channel extending from edge to edge on the inward curved portion ofsaid cleaning element adapted to reaccumulate material removed from thetongue surface; said handle also having a generally arc-shaped flatcross section for forming a gripping surface for the thumb and otherfingers, and being adapted for use by either the right or left hand. 5.The tongue cleaner according to claim 4, wherein said cleaning elementhas a pair of blunted blade-like edges for contacting the tonguedisposed on either edge of said cleaning element and wherein said atleast one blunted blade-like edge runs substantially the length of theedge of said cleaning element.
 6. A method for cleaning a tonguecomprising:gripping an elongated handle portionof a device having acurved shape adapted for gripping by hand; and, moving a cleaningelement having a curved shape, in reverse of said handle curved shape,wherein the cleaning element has at least one blade surface on the edgeof said cleaning element adapted for contacting the surface of saidtongue along said tongue to remove material retained on said tongue. 7.The method for cleaning a tongue according to claim 6, wherein saidcleaning element has a pair of blunted blade-like edges for contactingthe tongue disposed on either edge of said cleaning element.
 8. A methodfor cleaning a tongue comprising:gripping an elongated handle portion ofa device having a curved shape adapted for gripping by hand; and, movinga cleaning element having a curved shape, in reverse of said handlecurved shape, wherein the cleaning element has at least one bladesurface on the edge of said cleaning element adapted for contacting thesurface of said tongue along said tongue to remove material retained onsaid tongue, wherein said at least one blunted blade-like edge runssubstantially the length of the edge of said cleaning element.
 9. Themethod for cleaning a tongue according to claim 6, wherein said cleaningelement has a generally semicircular cross section to form a channeltherein.